33 Simple Candy Recipes That You Can Make At Home

If you have a family that is filled with people who have a sweet tooth, you probably have a lot of candy in your cupboards.

However, it can get expensive and a little bit boring buying the same sweet treats every week. 

The good news is that you can make homemade candy that is much better than store-bought products. 

33 Simple Candy Recipes That You Can Make At Home

Although it may seem daunting to begin making your candy at home, it can be straightforward. 

On top of that, when you make candy yourself, you know exactly what is in it and what your family is eating. 

You also give yourself the freedom to make swaps and changes to make your favorite treats more healthy for your children.  

If the thought of making your candy at home is still overwhelming, take a look at these 33 simple recipes that will have you creating family favorites at home in no time.  

1. Easy Homemade Divinity Candy

Although divinity candies may be associated with the holidays, there is no reason why you can’t enjoy this sweet treat all year round. 

A mix between fudge, nougat, and meringue, this candy is likely to be a winner for the whole family. 

One of the best things about this recipe is that there are so many ways in which you can alter and personalize the ingredients. 

You can swap the pecans for a nut that you prefer such as cashew or peanuts. 

You can also alter the flavoring by swapping the vanilla extract for peppermint or even chocolate flavoring.  

2. Easy Coconut Candy

This coconut candy recipe will have you dreaming of Caribbean beaches and pina Coladas. 

The sweet, coconut flavor comes straight out of the Dominican Republic and the texture of these candies makes a refreshing change from all of the chocolate and gummies you might be more accustomed to. 

You could add pineapple flavoring to this recipe to give it even stronger pina colada vibes if you wanted to. 

With only 5 ingredients needed to make this delicious, refreshing candy, you can get the whole family involved in making it.  

3. Candied Pecans

The youngest members of your family might argue that this recipe is not candy, but once they taste it, they’ll change their minds.

This can be a great way to encourage your children to eat more nuts to get the benefit of their healthy fats, while literally sugar coating it for them. 

One of the best things about this recipe is that it can be altered to use any kind of nut that you and your family prefer. 

They also have very versatile uses such as salad toppers, crumbled over ice cream, or simply as a great, sweet snack.

4. Easy Homemade Candy Apples

Candy apples are an interesting sweet treat that seems almost impossible to bite into, yet we always find a way. 

Although these candies are often associated with Christmas and Halloween, they are great to enjoy all year round and are a good way to sneak some more fruit into your family’s diet, albeit covered in sugar. 

One of the things that make candy apples so delicious is the mix of sweetness from the sugar coating and the crunch and natural sweetness of the apple.  

5. Honeycomb Recipe

Honeycomb candy is such a great treat for the whole family. 

The texture and the flavor are so different from the candies that you might normally eat. 

To add an extra layer of indulgence to this candy you can always break the bars or slabs up into smaller pieces and drizzle or dip them into your favorite melted chocolate.  

The homemade honeycomb is made from just 4 ingredients that are probably already hiding in your cupboards somewhere. 

Ready in as little as 30 minutes including cooling time, this is a great candy that you can pull together at very short notice for a dinner party or last-minute sleepover for your children.  

6. Potato Candy

This is a little more unusual than some of the other candy recipes that are on this list. 

Although it may feel a little bit alarming to see potatoes in the name of a candy, they are key to making this treat extra delicious.

If you are someone who likes gnocchi, this might not seem so strange to you because you know how well potatoes can hide in dishes. 

This candy is inspired by an Amish candy recipe and is flavorful and will quickly become a family favorite. 

There are only 5 ingredients necessary to make this recipe and it can be a great way to experiment when you have a quantity of leftover mashed potatoes from dinner during the week. 

7. Chocolate Caramel Pecan Turtles

These chocolate caramel pecan turtles are adorable candies that are so easy to make no matter how busy your household is.

There are so many occasions where these cute little treats will make appropriate gifts or snacks. 

Whether you are welcoming new neighbors to your street or providing snacks for your child’s sleepover, these will be sure-fire winners.  

This might be one of the more labor-intensive recipes in this article, but there are just a lot of steps involved. 

The process isn’t overly complicated and it can be a fun afternoon activity to share with your children or your spouse to spend time together and make some cute sweet treats to give to people.

These treats should be kept at room temperature to preserve the softness of the caramel.  

8. Easy Homemade Candy Bars

This recipe for easy homemade candy bars is a great way to provide an alternative to your family’s favorite chocolate treats.

Featuring chocolate, peanut butter, and graham crackers, there are so many textures and flavors that will appeal to everyone’s preferences.

The best thing about this chocolatey treat is that it only takes 3 ingredients to make and it can be ready in as little as 15 minutes.  Great for when you have last-minute guests or invitations. 

9. Hard Candy Recipe

This candy recipe is a great option for gifts.  The small, hard candies look colorful and gorgeous when presented in a clear jar or gift bag. 

They can be a sentimental and personal gift if you are able to make your friends and family batches of their favorite flavors. 

You could even get a little nostalgic with it and create a favorite flavor from their childhood.  

These cute little candies can be ready in under an hour and only require 6 ingredients, most of which you will probably have laying around in your kitchen.

10. Saltine Cracker Candy

This saltine cracker candy provides a wonderful mix of salty and sweet. 

It is also a great option for anyone who wants to try their hand at confectionery making but doesn’t want to have to invest in lots of confectionary-based tools such as thermometers. 

This candy has lots of wonderful textures that satisfy both a sweet tooth and a crunchy craving in one go. 

There are only 6 ingredients that are needed to make this recipe and it can be ready in just over an hour including the setting time.  

11. Candied Ginger

This recipe has perhaps the strongest flavor on this list.  The heat of the ginger is a great way to warm up when the weather is colder outside or simply because you love the taste of ginger. 

Although candied ginger might not be to everyone’s taste, those that love it seem to love it a lot and it can make a thoughtful gift for your loved ones.  

With only 4 ingredients needed to make this delicious, warming treat, it can make a cheap gift, particularly around the holidays.

This candied ginger can be ready in just over an hour which makes it super convenient and will also fill your house with a wonderful aroma. 

12. Cinnamon Hard Candy

In keeping with the theme of warming candies, these cinnamon hard candies bring warmth and sweetness to your candy indulgences. 

Much like the potato sweets mentioned above, this recipe is inspired by Amish recipes so you know that this dish is going to be both delicious and uncomplicated.  

One of the best things about this candy is that it can be ready in under an hour. 

It also only requires 5 ingredients that are very easy to come by.  This recipe calls for red food coloring that gives the candies a beautiful red, cinnamon color, although it is possible to swap this for any color. 

13. Sweet Spicy Candied Bacon

This has to be one of the most unusual recipes featured on the list, even more so than the potato candies. 

However, don’t be put off by the unusual combination because it works. 

The sweetness and spice of this recipe are so unique and intriguing that it is bound to appeal to the curious side of your friends and family. 

For those who are struggling with the idea, simply remind them of how delicious bacon and maple syrup waffles are. 

Although there are 10 ingredients required for this recipe, many of them are spices that give this candy a bit of heat and make sure that it isn’t too sweet.

14. Almond Roca

Almond Roca is a great nutty candy that is crunchy and sweet.  Once you try it, you will be totally in love with it and will find yourself making it regularly. 

Best of all, this is another recipe that doesn’t require a candy thermometer which means you can make it as a total novice without purchasing new tools.  

The total time it takes to make this delicious nutty delight is around 35 minutes. 

It is so quick and easy that once you get a taste of it, you can satisfy your cravings for it in no time at all.  

15. Louisiana Pralines

These Louisiana pralines make for a decadent, luxurious sweet treat that the whole family will love. 

The creamy nature of these candies makes a nice change from your usual chocolate treats that you buy from the grocery store.  

These southern sweet treats can be made in as little as 20 minutes which makes them great when you find yourself in a pinch for something to take to a party.  

Even better, you are likely to have the ingredients just sitting in your cupboard.

16. Copycat PayDay Candy Bars

If the sweet tooth in your family has a penchant for certain branded candy bars, you can still make copycat versions. 

These copycat versions are great to help you keep an eye on exactly what your family is putting into their bodies. 

On top of that, they are so easy to make. 

With just 5 ingredients and only 12 minutes of preparation time, they can be ready for your family to chow down on in next to no time.  

17. Chewy Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies

If you are looking to make the most decadent chocolate cookies with a little bit of a twist, this is the recipe for you. 

These cookies are the perfect amount of chocolatey, gooey, and even more chocolatey. 

They also feature a wonderful addition of crumbled candy canes or any kind of hard peppermint candy that you want, you could even make your own if you’re feeling creative. 

These cookies can keep for 3-4 days in an airtight container or can be frozen for 2-3 weeks.

18. See’s Fudge Recipe

Everyone loves a good piece of fudge.  The sweet, creamy flavor feels like a treat for the tastebuds. 

Described as a foolproof recipe for fudge that never goes grainy, this is great for first-timers. 

According to this recipe, it is almost exactly the same recipe that is used by See’s themselves. 

If you love a bit of See’s fudge, this is a brilliant copycat for your family. 

With only 6 ingredients and 20 minutes, you will have delicious fudge candies for your whole family to enjoy.

19. Old-Fashioned Chewy Butterscotch Candy

Although butterscotch is technically supposed to be a crunchy, hard candy, this recipe strays from that slightly. 

Instead, we have a well-balanced, chewy, and creamy treat that is going to win everyone over. 

These candies can make for great gifts for friends, a wonderful addition to your next costume party, or as a simple candy treat for you and your family. 

You can whip these up with only 4 ingredients, 25 minutes, and a candy thermometer.

20. Copycat Chocolate Mounds

This homemade candy recipe is based on the popular Mounds candy bar and only requires 4 ingredients. 

While this candy doesn’t look like the classic candy bar, it certainly tastes like it.  

If you wanted to put a little more effort into the recipe, you could make these into bars to resemble the original candy.   

This recipe also only takes around 30 minutes which is great if you don’t have a lot of time.  

21. Candy Cane cookies

Okay, so this recipe might be a little bit seasonal, but it was so good we had to include it. 

Everyone loves a good candy cane at Christmas time, everyone also loves a delicious homemade cookie. 

Why not combine the two and make these gorgeous homemade candy cane cookies. 

The recipe is easy and simple, requiring only 20 minutes from start to finish. 

It is a great option to get the whole family involved in holiday festivities. If you’re looking for more Christmas candy recipes, these homemade candy cane cookies are a delightful treat to try.

22. Old-Fashioned Cherry Mash Chocolates

This candy recipe makes a great gift for the cherry lovers in your life.  It is also an old-fashioned recipe that could stir nostalgia in the older people in your life. 

This particular recipe makes the process even easier to complete with the addition of a mini muffin tin and paper cupcake liners.

The total time it takes to make this recipe is just over an hour and a large part of that is quite hands-off. 

The chocolates can be stored at room temperature for up to 10 days.

23. Simple Candied Orange Peel

Candied orange peel, or any type of fruit peel, is a classic homemade candy recipe that is great for both snacking and giving as gifts. 

You can make a really colorful mix if you use multiple types of peel, although this recipe specifically talks about the candied orange peel. 

One of the best things about this type of candy is that it isn’t overly sweet.  The residual bitterness of the peel takes the edge off.

24. Homemade Candy Corn Recipe

This is another recipe that is somewhat seasonal, but who doesn’t love colorful candy corn? 

This is another recipe that is slightly more labor intensive than some of the others on this list, however, it is totally worth it if you have the time and inclination. 

The method used in this recipe is great to get the kids involved, helping to roll the colorful rope.

25. Anise Candy

This anise candy is another old-fashioned candy recipe to fill your nostalgia boots. 

While anise might remind you of Christmas, these delicious little treats can be enjoyed all year round. 

You can also personalize these candies by switching up the flavorings and food coloring that you use. 

In just over 30 minutes, you can have delicious hard candies to share with your family and friends.

26. Rocky Road Candies

If you are looking for a homemade candy that is super easy and simple to make and that you can involve your children in, this is for you. 

These rocky road candies are the perfect way to entertain your kids on a rainy afternoon and give them the satisfaction of snacking on something delicious that they made. 

The likelihood is that you already have most of the ingredients that you need for this in your kitchen.  

27. Old-Time Peanut Butter Candy

This old-fashioned peanut butter candy recipe is a great option for anyone who wants to make homemade candy but doesn’t like a lot of chocolate or anything too sweet. 

Any type of nut butter can be used for this recipe, so whether you prefer crunchy or smooth peanut butter, you can tailor it to your liking. 

Alternatively, you can substitute for any nut butter of your choice.  Best of all, this recipe requires no cooking at all so it is great to get the whole family involved.

28. Edible Candy Glass

Edible candy glass or sugar glass is a great recipe that can be enjoyed on its own or as part of a bigger candy project to create beautiful and interesting effects. 

The recipe linked above is for clear candy glass but you can add food coloring to create different colors to make it look like stained glass.

29. Easy Buckeye Recipe

Buckeyes are the queen of cookie recipes.  Visually they are just so interesting and on top of that, they are delicious. 

Although technically they are cookies rather than candies, they do feature chocolate coating and are the star of any cookie table at a party.  This recipe can be made in 20 minutes plus cooling time. 

30. Cotton Candy Cupcakes Recipe

These cotton candy cupcakes combine the awesome sweetness of cotton candy that instantly reminds us of the fair and the comforting deliciousness of cupcakes. 

The colors of the frosting used in this recipe also add to the fairground wonderment that these sweet treats exude. 

These cupcakes will make a brilliant addition to your next party.

31. Chocolate Cashew Clusters

These chocolate cashew clusters are the perfect balance of sweet chocolate and crunchy nuts. 

The use of cashews brings a creamy, gentle flavor to the candy that makes them feel very luxurious and indulgent. 

However, you can also swap the cashews with whatever nut you and your family prefer. 

Peanuts add a brilliant extra crunch for example. 

32. Haystacks Recipe

One of the more unusual recipes on this list, haystacks involves one of the weirdest candy ingredients you have probably come across. 

The presence of dried chow mein noodles might leave you reeling, but they really work to add an amazing crunch to this candy.

The nutty flavor makes this a delight for the taste buds that will impress your friends and family. 

33. Easy Buttercreams Candy

The final recipe on this list is truly one of the best that we have included. 

These easy buttercream candy balls are the ultimate in sugar indulgence. 

They are essentially balls of buttercream frosting that are dipped in melted chocolate and rolled in sprinkles.  They truly are the ultimate party candy. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do You Need Special Equipment To Make Candy?

This is a very common question when people consider making candy at home for the first time. 

There are lots of candy recipes that do not require any special equipment to execute. 

However, some of the recipes that involve heating sugar are likely to be easier when you use a sugar or candy thermometer. 

It is possible to make these recipes without the thermometer but it is significantly harder to judge them by eye. 

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of easy recipes for you to choose from as you take your first steps into the world of homemade candy.

Whichever recipe you choose, you are sure to be bitten by the confectionary bug and want to make more and more candy at home.

33 Simple Candy Recipes That You Can Make At Home

33 Simple Candy Recipes That You Can Make At Home

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